Staff at 'Scotland's worst station' to get body cams in blitz on yobs after protests and emergency summit

Staff at Hamilton Central to be issued with body cameras after protest and top-level meeting with unions, police and politicians.

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Staff at Hamilton Central’s Railway station are to be provided with body-worn CCTV cameras after they dubbed it the “worst in Scotland” because of teenage gangs.

Trade Unions, the British Transport Police and politicians attended an emergency round-table summit to discuss the anti-social behaviour.

It was organised by Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse MSP Christina McKelvie on Tuesday after staff demonstrated outside the station in a bid to get management to sit up and recognise the situation, which they described as “scandalous”.

James Ledgerwood, head of economic development at the ScotRail Alliance, said: “The safety of our staff and customers is always our number one priority. The type of behaviour that we are seeing is totally unacceptable – and is not just restricted to the railway station.

RMT union members protest outside Hamilton Central station.

“As responsible members of the community, we have been working alongside a wide range of partners for the last 18 months to ensure that this unacceptable behaviour no longer impacts on our staff or customers.”

Union members say there has been a surge in violence towards staff – a situation which they say is being ignored despite repeated RMT warnings.

The summit was convened at the Scottish Parliament and those in attendance agreed on a collective plan of action involving a multi-agency approach in reporting and combating anti-social behaviour.

The body cameras aim to help ScotRail improve safety for staff and passengers (Pic Scotrail Alliance).

The ScotRail Alliance said additional police resources are at the forefront of this approach, with Police Scotland and British Transport Police (BTP) carrying out a crime reduction survey this week.

ScotRail say the results of this will inform whether it is appropriate to apply for an exclusion zone to be created under existing ASBO legislation. This hands officers the power to order any group of more than three people to leave the area.

Regardless of outcome, two BTP officers will be dedicated to patrolling the station and surrounding area.

Staff will also be provided with body-worn CCTV cameras to record anti-social behaviour and act as a deterrent. Footage from these cameras recorded by ScotRail staff has previously been used as evidence in court.

To tackle the root causes of this behaviour, police will also work with social work and housing teams, while ScotRail will visit schools, and work with council youth work teams.

Ms McKelvie said: “The meeting was very constructive and I thank all the organisations for agreeing to meet with me on such short notice.

“Make no mistake, this shows the seriousness of our purpose. The safety of my constituents, the public and the staff of ScotRail are absolutely paramount. We now have in place an agreed plan of action consisting of wider engagement with the local community, a more visible police presence at the station and an agreement to facilitate a multi-agency approach to eradicate the anti-social behaviour.

“I want to record my gratitude to all the organisations who have committed their support in overcoming the issues impacting upon the station. I also want to pay tribute to my constituents who have worked in tireless partnership with me to ensure Hamilton Central remains safe and secure for all to use.”

Hamilton Central railway station.

Michael Hogg, RMT organiser, said: “The meeting at the parliament was constructive and aided our members in finding a long-term solution. We have agreed a serious of measures with all stakeholders. All parties have agreed that enough is enough and all staff should be able to come to work securely and safely.”

A BTP spokesperson said: “We’re committed to working with all our partners to make this station as safe as it can be. That means we’re working alongside Police Scotland, Scotrail and the local authority to ensure everything that can be done is being done.”